IT CAN'T HAPPEN HERE Comes to ActorsNET

What if FDR has been defeated in 1936 and a fascist had been elected President of the United States? How would Americans react to the implementation of martial law, and the elimination of rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution? What would happen if a free press was muzzled? If citizens fled to Canada even as a resistance was formed -- and its leaders and members were rounded up and incarcerated or executed?

That's the intriguing and frightening premise of Tony Taccone and Bennett S. Cohen's exciting adaptation of Sinclair Lewis' 1935 cautionary tale, It Can't Happen Here, which Lewis adapted the following year with John C. Moffitt from his novel by the same name. ActorsNET is launching its 22nd season at its home in Morrisville, Pennsylvania on weekends from October 13 through 29 with this searing drama, which was newly adapted and staged by the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2016.

Tom Stevenson of Titusvlle, New Jerssey co-stars with Kyla Donnelly of Levittown, Pennsylvania. He portrays small-town newspaper editor Doremus Jessup, whose family are caught up in the political whirlwind. She plays outspoken widowed bar owner Lorinda Pike, whose political views align with Jessup's - and they are drawn into a romantic entanglement.

Stevenson's extensive area stage credits include Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey for Princeton Summer Theatre, Henry Ford in Camping with Henry and Tom at Off-Broadstreet Theatre, and Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady with Poquelin Players. Ms. Donnelly is an ActorsNET veteran of more than a dozen shows, including The Explorers Club and A Moon for the Misbegotten, who has also graced the stages of Langhorne Players and Off-Broadstreet Theatre. She is a two-time Kelsey Award winner for her performances in August: Osage County and The Winters Tale.

"This is one of the most riveting and perhaps controversial productions we've ever staged," ActorsNET General Manager Joe Doyle said. "There are so many parallels between America of the 1930s and today - inequality between the rich and poor, unemployment, racial prejudice, and vast political divisions." Doyle is co-directing the production alongside Andrena Wishnie. "Lewis wrote the novel in response to the rise of fascism in Europe prior to World War II and as a warning to voters to not elect former Louisiana Governor, U.S. Senator, and self-proclaimed populist Huey Long of Louisiana. The controversial politician's bid to wrest the nomination from Franklin Roosevelt was ended by his assassination just prior to the release of the novel. But its patriotic pro-American theme of resistance to fascism resonated, however, and the best seller was turned into a play that ran both in New York and around the country."

"Last year's Berkeley Rep production added allusions to the 2016 presidential election to encourage comparisons to the Donald Trump campaign. These obvious allusions have been, I believe, wisely eliminated from the Dramatists Play Service edition, which we're producing," Doyle noted. "Lewis' story transcends partisan politics and trumpets the 'Don't tread on me' spirit of our nation. Our cast of 22 - most playing multiple roles -- includes actors of all political persuasions, each identifying with the resistance depicted in this script."

Co-Director Wishnie cites how the show depicts the different ways people react during times of crisis, observing, "We never know what we're capable of doing until it needs to be done. Or not doing, if survival is judged more important than the values we thought we had."

It Can't Happen Here co-stars (alphabetically) James "Jim" Cordingley of Lawrence Twp, NJ; John Helmke of Trenton, NJ; Gina Rose Hermans of Lawrenceville, NJ; Tim Irvine of Yardley, PA; Olivier Leroux of Pennington, NJ; Jessica Mousley of Langhorne, PA; Marco Newton of Yardley; Ed Patton of Fairless Hills, PA; Jack Petzko of Cranbury, NJ; R.O. Scott of Huntingdon Valley, PA; Daniel "D.J." Tomalin of Levittown, and Hayley Rubins-Topoleski of Trenton, NJ. Featuring (alphabetically) Francesca Arco of Morrisville; Sean Costello of Quakertown, PA; Joe Doyle of Morrisville; Dee Hamilton of Hamilton, NJ; Bonnie Kapenstein of Philadelphia, PA; Griffin Kemp of Morrisville; Katie Marra of Levittown; Rick J. Speer of Yardley, and Ellen Wisnosky of Morrisville.

Francesca Arco stage manages. Assistant stage manager is Katie Marra. Set and costume design is by ActorsNET Artistic Director Cheryl Doyle. Lighting design and operation is by Andrena Wishnie. Sound design is by the Doyles and the sound operator is Isaiah Davis of Levittown.

It Can't Happen Here performs weekends October 13 - 29 at The Heritage Center Theatre, 635 North Delmorr Avenue (Route 32), Morrisville, PA - across from the Calhoun Street Bridge. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. The opening night performance is followed by a complimentary wine and cheese party with the cast. The second Friday of the run features a "Talk Back" session, allowing those who wish to stay to discuss this intriguing show.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $15 for WHYY members and students, and $10 for children age 12 and younger. Due to its theme and staged violence, parental guidance is advised. To reserve, call 215-295-3694 or email actorsnet@aol.com. ActorsNET's website is www.actorsnetbucks.org and Facebook page is www.facebook.com/theactorsnet.

To post a comment, you must register and login.